As the city sinks under the weight of overpopulation and neglect, thousands of homeless labourers and families sleep on pavements without safety, hygiene, or meaningful government support
NEW DELHI – As dusk falls over the centuries-old lanes of Chandni Chowk and nearby areas, the rush of commerce fades and the streets transform into makeshift bedrooms for thousands. Homeless labourers, rickshaw pullers, and families line the pavements, wrapping themselves in tattered blankets, hiding under thin plastic sheets, or huddling together on the bare ground.
This is not just a tale of poverty—it is the story of a city failing its people.
Home to over 11 million people in just 932 square kilometres, Delhi’s old quarters—once known for their history, culture, and trade—now carry the burden of unmanaged population growth, inadequate public services, and rising homelessness.
“Every night, the footpaths are full. We sleep here with fear, hunger, and uncertainty. We have nowhere else to go,” said Rauf Ali, a daily wage labourer who has been living on the streets near Jama Masjid for over ten years.
Government-run night shelters were introduced to offer relief to the homeless. But they now symbolise neglect and failure.
“The shelters stink of rotten blankets and rats. You can smell the smoke from burning wood. There’s no peace, no safety—especially for women and children,” said Meena Bano, who occasionally seeks shelter in one of these facilities near Sadar Bazar.
Another resident, Marufa, who lives on the roadside with her three children, explained the daily danger: “These shelters are filled with drunkards and addicts. We don’t feel safe there, especially at night. The authorities opened them for namesake, not for real help.”
The 2011 Census already painted a grim picture: India’s homeless population is highly vulnerable due to a lack of identification documents, access to food, healthcare, water, and employment. More than a decade later, conditions have worsened.
Climate change is now adding to the misery. Extreme heat, bitter winters, and sudden rainfall leave the homeless exposed and often ill.
“When temperatures cross 45 degrees or drop below 5, many die quietly on the streets. There are no emergency services that reach them, no shade during the day, no blankets in winter,” said Rehman, a rickshaw puller who also lives near Fatehpuri Mosque.
The old city is one of the most densely populated areas in India. Prices of basic needs have surged in recent years, pushing many working-class families into poverty.
“I used to rent a room for ₹1,500 a month. Now it’s ₹4,000. I cannot afford that on a daily wage of ₹250–₹300. So, I sleep here, with my family, on the road,” said Gulam Rasool, originally from Bihar.
Many blame the local administration for abandoning the area. “There is no long-term planning, no effort to reduce the burden on the old city. Instead of building proper housing, they put up temporary shelters and forget about us,” said Aqib, a university student volunteering for a local charity.
Delhi may be India’s capital, but for the people sleeping under open skies, it offers no dignity.
The streets near iconic places like the Red Fort and Jama Masjid—visited by thousands of tourists—turn into desperate settlements at night. Men and women queue up outside dargahs and gurdwaras for free food. Children sleep with an empty stomach, wrapped in old sarees.
“This city looks beautiful in photos and headlines, but come at night and you’ll see our reality. We’re invisible until elections or surveys come,” said Farzana, who has been homeless since her husband died six years ago.
Experts believe the government must move beyond temporary solutions. “Providing only night shelters without addressing the root causes—like lack of affordable housing, job insecurity, and rising inflation—will never solve homelessness,” said Prof Arvind Kumar, a social policy researcher based in Delhi.
He added, “The poor are not lazy. They work hard. But without support, they fall through the cracks. It’s not just a housing issue; it’s about respect and survival.”
While the city boasts eco-friendly toilets and modern projects in other areas, the people of Old Delhi are still waiting for clean water, safe shelter, and basic dignity.
As the sun rises again on the red sandstone minarets and bustling streets, those who sleep on the pavements rise too, ready to labour another day, carry another load, pull another rickshaw. Their lives, full of effort and exhaustion, continue unnoticed in a city that seems to have no space left for its poorest residents.
